Should I switch salts?

[Mcdonalds]

So I have been using Red Sea coral pro since I bought my first round of stuff for my tank, someone at the store said to get it so I did. I’m wondering if that was a dumb idea, I hear bad things about the elevated levels and was wondering if I should switch to the blue bucket or fritz rpm or something, as I still consider myself new. Also I don’t have corals (YET) and haven’t even tested for alkalinity, calcium, etc.

Thanks for the help

 

[elcapitan1993]

I switched from instant ocean to the Red Sea blue bucket and it’s the best thing I ever did for my tank other than getting a high end light

 

[Lyss]

I switched from coral pro to blue bucket and am much happier. Just my experience, but In the end I didn’t like the high alk and have found it easier to keep things in balance w/the blue bucket and dosing all for Reef.

Now my alk runs around 8.2 vs 11.5 w/the coral pro. I had to switch slowly tho to go from 11.5 to 8.2.

 

[dedragon]

its a good salt mix i wouldnt switch unless it is giving you issues, though hard to tell with no calcium, or alkalinity readings from the tank. In theory a higher level will let you go a bit longer between water changes for typically easier corals as there are many that can deal with a swing a bit in ca, alk, etc (non sps corals). I have used all of the ones listed above and they are all pretty good just about what you are aiming to do.
Blue bucket and tropic marin pro salt mix to around the same levels and are great if dosing and staying on top of ca and alk. Instant ocean is good but brown crap and you have to test each batch as they sometimes fluctuate a bit between batches.
How big is the tank and how often do you plan to water change? And planning on corals?

 

[X-37B]

If its working then why switch?
Any salt will work if you know what your doing, imo.
I was using ESV for 5 years. Great salt but when I went to buy more during covid it was out of stock.
So I went back to Regular IO which I have used since the 80's.
Have seen zero difference since the switch except iny wallet.
$75 FOR 100G'S OF ESV or $75 for 320G's of IO.
In the end the salt you use is a personel choice as all of them work, imo.

Also get some test kits before you do any changes!

 

[Lyss]

If its working then why switch?
Any salt will work if you know what your doing, imo.
I was using ESV for 5 years. Great salt but when I went to buy more during covid it was out of stock.
So I went back to Regular IO which I have used since the 80's.
Have seen zero difference since the switch except iny wallet.
$75 FOR 100G'S OF ESV or $75 for 320G's of IO.
In the end the salt you use is a personel choice as all of them work, imo.

Also get some test kits before you do any changes!

I think OP’s Q was more around the elevated levels. I personally didn’t like alk that high, so switched to a salt that had the params I prefer. OP doesn’t have any corals yet and sounds to be wanting some advice on whether to think about a salt with levels not so high. i do wish I’d started w/blue bucket or comparable, and wish I had been advised better earlier on. But that’s my personal feeling.

It’s individual so no one can say what to definitely do or not do, OP. You’ll need to start testing and adding corals to find out if you like it or not.

 

[X-37B]

I think OP’s Q was more around the elevated levels. I personally didn’t like alk that high, so switched to a salt that had the params I prefer. OP doesn’t have any corals yet and sounds to be wanting some advice on whether to think about a salt with levels not so high. i do wish I’d started w/blue bucket and has been advised better earlier on. But that’s my personal feeling.

It’s individual so no one can say what to definitely do or not do, OP. You’ll need to start testing and adding corals to find out if you like it or not.

I sometimes forget many people are new. I do not like IO alk and I adjust it to my desired level.
The ca and mag are right where I want them.

 

[LPS Bum]

Reef Crystals and RODI water has always been good enough for me.

Never saw a reason to pay a premium for another brand of salt mix. But if you’ve found something that’s working well for you, why switch?

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

If you don’t have corals and your not at the level of testing levels then you don’t need a good quality salt like coral pro. Everyone has their own favorite. They all work. Higher end salts like coral pro will be faster and cleaner mixing and will have added elements, etc to support water quality for corals. You could very well just use instant ocean and save yourself some money. Once you become more advanced then you can test your levels and judge for yourself and not worry about what “somebody” said. Good luck.

 

[Mr Cypher]

Personally never had an issue my tank is 5mo old at this point and its all I've used all my corals seem happy with the exception of a couple but I dont blame that on the salt mix had a little issue with GFO lol but fixed now I would stick with it!! Good luck little eye candy both grown from small frags lol

 

[Mcdonalds]

Blue bucket and tropic marin pro salt mix to around the same levels and are great if dosing and staying on top of ca and alk. Instant ocean is good but brown crap and you have to test each batch as they sometimes fluctuate a bit between batches.
How big is the tank and how often do you plan to water change? And planning on corals?

I have a 24g and plan on having a mixed reef slowing moving from soft to sps. I do a water change either each week or every other about 20-25%. I don’t know if I will dose yet though.

 

[MamaP]

I have a 24g and plan on having a mixed reef slowing moving from soft to sps. I do a water change either each week or every other about 20-25%. I don’t know if I will dose yet though.

Hi, and welcome, @Mcdonalds ! You've probably begun to discover that salt preference is a hotly debated topic around here.

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Not to worry, tho, pretty soon you'll have your favorite, too! I've personally tried a few different types of salt, and I decided on Tropic Marin Classic because I don't dose anything and I like that it keeps my alk up, adds some beneficial trace elements, and it mixes faster and cleaner than other salts I've tried. What I mean by that is with some salts, you have to mix them and wait 24 hours before you use the fresh SW; some take a few (or several) hours to not be cloudy; and some of them will form a brown crud line at the water line in your mixing can/bucket. Tropic Marin mixes very fast (like maybe 30 minutes for 20 gal), you can use it the same day you make the water, and it only leaves crud at the water line if I leave it in the mixing can (35g Brute can) for more than a couple weeks.

You may not "need" to change salt brands, and I know people that prefer Red Sea over the others, but it's YOUR tank, and you've got to do what you think is best for it - what makes sense for you and the outcome you're trying to achieve. There's absolutely nothing wrong with exploring, experimenting, and trying new stuff until you find what you like. I hope that helps, and again, welcome!

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[Mcdonalds]

Hi, and welcome, @Mcdonalds ! You've probably begun to discover that salt preference is a hotly debated topic around here.

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Not to worry, tho, pretty soon you'll have your favorite, too! I've personally tried a few different types of salt, and I decided on Tropic Marin Classic because I don't dose anything and I like that it keeps my alk up, adds some beneficial trace elements, and it mixes faster and cleaner than other salts I've tried. What I mean by that is with some salts, you have to mix them and wait 24 hours before you use the fresh SW; some take a few (or several) hours to not be cloudy; and some of them will form a brown crud line at the water line in your mixing can/bucket. Tropic Marin mixes very fast (like maybe 30 minutes for 20 gal), you can use it the same day you make the water, and it only leaves crud at the water line if I leave it in the mixing can (35g Brute can) for more than a couple weeks.

You may not "need" to change salt brands, and I know people that prefer Red Sea over the others, but it's YOUR tank, and you've got to do what you think is best for it - what makes sense for you and the outcome you're trying to achieve. There's absolutely nothing wrong with exploring, experimenting, and trying new stuff until you find what you like. I hope that helps, and again, welcome!

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So the point of this post was really to hear other opinions on other salts because I’m running low. I know they are all pretty similar and I’ll have to experiment. So I’ll probably stuck with coral pro for now, then see.
Thank you

 

[t5Nitro]

I think salt brands are hyped up. Pick one that mixes to a parameter you want or close to it and make adjustments as needed. Brand of salt is one of the least important factors in the hobby.